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Allen Jackson Ministries

Allen Jackson - Walk Out of The Darkness (Part 1)

April 29, 2025 | S25:E122

Allen Jackson - Walk Out of The Darkness (Part 1)
Pastor Allen Jackson's mission is to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
#SeekGod #Religion #Culture #Truth #Obedience #inActive #Rebellion #AllenJacksonMinistries #AllenJackson #Authority #Disobedience

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Allen Jackson Ministries | Allen Jackson - Walk Out of The Darkness (Part 1) | April 29, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.617
  • Allen jackson: it's good to be with you again.
  • 00:00:06.555 --> 00:00:08.157
  • You know, we're walking through a season of some pretty
  • 00:00:08.257 --> 00:00:10.726
  • Unprecedented turmoil.
  • 00:00:10.859 --> 00:00:11.226
  • There are cars burning and car dealerships burning and there
  • 00:00:13.095 --> 00:00:16.899
  • Are judges.
  • 00:00:16.899 --> 00:00:18.233
  • There's just a lot of stuff.
  • 00:00:18.233 --> 00:00:20.002
  • Well, i'm really excited about our offer this month.
  • 00:00:20.002 --> 00:00:21.804
  • In fact, we chose it because i think it will bring you a
  • 00:00:21.804 --> 00:00:24.640
  • Pathway of stability in the midst of all the turmoil,
  • 00:00:24.640 --> 00:00:28.310
  • Shared by a good friend of mine, rob morgan, "the lord is
  • 00:00:28.310 --> 00:00:30.813
  • My shepherd."
  • 00:00:30.813 --> 00:00:32.147
  • And it seems to me we need to know the tranquility that comes
  • 00:00:32.147 --> 00:00:35.284
  • From a shepherd, who is marking a path for us, and then standing
  • 00:00:35.284 --> 00:00:38.954
  • Watch over us when we know there's predators about.
  • 00:00:38.954 --> 00:00:42.658
  • We're living in a predatory season, and we need to know the
  • 00:00:42.658 --> 00:00:45.694
  • Lord is a shepherd.
  • 00:00:45.694 --> 00:00:47.229
  • And i believe this offer can make a real difference in
  • 00:00:47.229 --> 00:00:49.598
  • Your life.
  • 00:00:49.598 --> 00:00:50.966
  • In fact, it's important enough that we'll make it available for
  • 00:00:50.966 --> 00:00:52.634
  • A gift of any amount.
  • 00:00:52.634 --> 00:00:54.470
  • I think it's far more important that you have it in your hand
  • 00:00:54.470 --> 00:00:57.005
  • Than the cost attached to it.
  • 00:00:57.005 --> 00:00:58.707
  • God is moving in the earth, and we wanna move with him.
  • 00:00:58.707 --> 00:01:01.243
  • Our shepherd will lead us through.
  • 00:01:01.243 --> 00:01:03.078
  • You'll enjoy the book.
  • 00:01:03.078 --> 00:01:05.514
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:05.514 --> 00:01:10.552
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:01:13.622 --> 00:01:29.471
  • Allen: we've been walking through a series under the
  • 00:01:32.708 --> 00:01:34.543
  • General theme of dynamic faith that faith is not static.
  • 00:01:34.543 --> 00:01:38.213
  • It isn't stagnant.
  • 00:01:38.213 --> 00:01:39.648
  • It's not something that's experienced.
  • 00:01:39.648 --> 00:01:41.250
  • For faith to be real, it has to be lived out.
  • 00:01:41.250 --> 00:01:45.287
  • So it's a vibrant, dynamic, transformational force in
  • 00:01:45.287 --> 00:01:49.191
  • Our lives.
  • 00:01:49.191 --> 00:01:50.792
  • It's not defined by experiences of the past.
  • 00:01:50.792 --> 00:01:52.995
  • Faith is understood by the movement of the present.
  • 00:01:52.995 --> 00:01:56.999
  • And we've been trying to understand some of those
  • 00:01:56.999 --> 00:01:58.500
  • Implications for ourselves.
  • 00:01:58.500 --> 00:01:59.902
  • In this session, i want to talk with you about the walk out
  • 00:01:59.902 --> 00:02:02.504
  • Of darkness.
  • 00:02:02.504 --> 00:02:04.907
  • Because that's not just a singular event when you arrive
  • 00:02:04.907 --> 00:02:07.843
  • At a position of decision for jesus and you accept him
  • 00:02:07.843 --> 00:02:11.413
  • As lord.
  • 00:02:11.413 --> 00:02:12.781
  • That walk out of darkness is a set of decisions that we will
  • 00:02:12.781 --> 00:02:15.484
  • Make throughout our spiritual journey.
  • 00:02:15.484 --> 00:02:18.253
  • It's as necessary for me today as it was when i was a beginner
  • 00:02:18.253 --> 00:02:21.924
  • Because darkness is still present in the earth.
  • 00:02:21.924 --> 00:02:23.792
  • There's a conflict in the earth.
  • 00:02:23.792 --> 00:02:26.028
  • And we are led through shadowed valleys from time to time by the
  • 00:02:26.028 --> 00:02:29.364
  • Spirit of god, and we need to know how to navigate those
  • 00:02:29.364 --> 00:02:32.801
  • Places when the darkness is apparent.
  • 00:02:32.801 --> 00:02:35.404
  • There are even times and seasons when the darkness is
  • 00:02:35.404 --> 00:02:38.140
  • More intense.
  • 00:02:38.140 --> 00:02:39.541
  • There's some fundamentals, we've been looking at some of these in
  • 00:02:39.541 --> 00:02:41.743
  • Previous sessions, i won't belabor them.
  • 00:02:41.743 --> 00:02:43.579
  • We've talked about fasting, abstaining from food for
  • 00:02:43.579 --> 00:02:46.715
  • Spiritual purposes.
  • 00:02:46.715 --> 00:02:48.083
  • It's a spiritual discipline throughout scripture.
  • 00:02:48.083 --> 00:02:50.219
  • I believe it's a very significant component to our
  • 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:52.888
  • Spiritual formation today.
  • 00:02:52.888 --> 00:02:55.123
  • A prayer watch, it's when you miss sleep to seek the lord
  • 00:02:55.123 --> 00:02:58.126
  • And pray.
  • 00:02:58.126 --> 00:02:59.494
  • Not because you ate too much pizza, and you can't sleep or
  • 00:02:59.494 --> 00:03:02.497
  • Because your team lost and your bracket was ruined.
  • 00:03:02.497 --> 00:03:08.704
  • I know none of you would wager on a bracket, so i know there's
  • 00:03:08.704 --> 00:03:11.206
  • No concern around that, but it's just the
  • 00:03:11.206 --> 00:03:13.208
  • Emotional disappointment.
  • 00:03:13.208 --> 00:03:15.544
  • But you take time intentionally to seek the lord and pray.
  • 00:03:15.544 --> 00:03:20.382
  • I wanna add a couple more there.
  • 00:03:20.382 --> 00:03:21.750
  • They're equally apparent.
  • 00:03:21.750 --> 00:03:23.085
  • None of these should be new or a surprise.
  • 00:03:23.085 --> 00:03:24.519
  • Obedience, there's just no replacement for obedience
  • 00:03:24.519 --> 00:03:27.522
  • To god.
  • 00:03:27.522 --> 00:03:28.924
  • You can't be generous enough to overcome your disobedience.
  • 00:03:28.924 --> 00:03:31.860
  • You can't be kind enough for--obedience is irreplaceable.
  • 00:03:31.860 --> 00:03:36.098
  • Walk in the light of the truth that you know.
  • 00:03:36.098 --> 00:03:39.268
  • In fact, i really don't think there's any significant
  • 00:03:39.268 --> 00:03:41.403
  • Opportunity for advancement in the kingdom of god until you're
  • 00:03:41.403 --> 00:03:43.772
  • Willing to walk in the truth that you know.
  • 00:03:43.772 --> 00:03:46.541
  • And so if you're not in the habit of practicing obedience,
  • 00:03:46.541 --> 00:03:49.978
  • Begin to make it a determined part of your daily life.
  • 00:03:49.978 --> 00:03:53.782
  • See, we can't be disobedient and compensate with all those other
  • 00:03:53.782 --> 00:03:56.685
  • Things, kindness or attention to family.
  • 00:03:56.685 --> 00:03:59.755
  • I think the church has really created some mixed messaging in
  • 00:03:59.755 --> 00:04:03.225
  • Recent decades.
  • 00:04:03.225 --> 00:04:04.593
  • In 1 samuel chapter 15, samuel the prophet, the last of the
  • 00:04:04.593 --> 00:04:08.563
  • Judges, is speaking to the man that he anointed to be king, and
  • 00:04:08.563 --> 00:04:13.535
  • Saul has wandered.
  • 00:04:13.535 --> 00:04:14.870
  • God chose saul, selected him to be king, so he had a tremendous
  • 00:04:14.870 --> 00:04:17.906
  • Amount of momentum.
  • 00:04:17.906 --> 00:04:19.274
  • He had the blessing of god, the anointing of significant
  • 00:04:19.274 --> 00:04:22.277
  • Figures, but he didn't choose obedience.
  • 00:04:22.277 --> 00:04:27.582
  • And samuel said to him: "has the lord as much delight in burnt
  • 00:04:27.582 --> 00:04:29.985
  • Offerings and sacrifices in obeying the voice of the lord.
  • 00:04:29.985 --> 00:04:33.288
  • Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.
  • 00:04:33.288 --> 00:04:36.525
  • And to heed than the fat of rams."
  • 00:04:36.525 --> 00:04:38.560
  • In this context, sacrifice isn't the forfeiture of something; it
  • 00:04:38.560 --> 00:04:41.396
  • Was a literal animal sacrifice.
  • 00:04:41.396 --> 00:04:43.932
  • And samuel is saying that obedience is better than a
  • 00:04:43.932 --> 00:04:47.169
  • Public expression of religious compliance.
  • 00:04:47.169 --> 00:04:52.908
  • It's much more important the condition of your heart in
  • 00:04:52.908 --> 00:04:55.444
  • Relation to god and his directives to your life than
  • 00:04:55.444 --> 00:04:58.847
  • Those public expressions of being compliant.
  • 00:04:58.847 --> 00:05:02.551
  • He said: "rebellion is just the sin of divination.
  • 00:05:02.551 --> 00:05:04.886
  • And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
  • 00:05:04.886 --> 00:05:09.157
  • You've rejected the word of the lord, and he's rejected you from
  • 00:05:09.157 --> 00:05:11.760
  • Being king."
  • 00:05:11.760 --> 00:05:13.095
  • That is harsh.
  • 00:05:13.095 --> 00:05:15.230
  • Saul is still functioning as a king.
  • 00:05:15.230 --> 00:05:17.065
  • He's offering sacrifices, all the displays of his faith.
  • 00:05:17.065 --> 00:05:21.837
  • His position seems to be secure.
  • 00:05:21.837 --> 00:05:23.271
  • There's no pretenders to the throne at this point.
  • 00:05:23.271 --> 00:05:26.641
  • But the message from god is, "you're insubordinate.
  • 00:05:26.641 --> 00:05:30.979
  • You are willfully disobedient.
  • 00:05:30.979 --> 00:05:34.649
  • And i'm gonna take the authority away from your life.
  • 00:05:34.649 --> 00:05:37.853
  • I don't want to be there.
  • 00:05:37.853 --> 00:05:39.187
  • So i commend you to obedience, not my opinion about it, yours.
  • 00:05:39.187 --> 00:05:43.525
  • Walk in the truth that you know."
  • 00:05:43.525 --> 00:05:45.360
  • Isaiah 1:19 said: "if you're willing and obedient, you'll eat
  • 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:48.063
  • The best from the land."
  • 00:05:48.063 --> 00:05:50.232
  • Just a slight caution, you can be obedient, but be very grumpy
  • 00:05:50.232 --> 00:05:53.235
  • About it.
  • 00:05:53.235 --> 00:05:55.370
  • I mean, i know none of you could, but you probably have
  • 00:05:55.370 --> 00:05:57.038
  • Known someone that had that tendency.
  • 00:05:57.038 --> 00:05:59.975
  • And we're invited in scripture to be both willing and obedient.
  • 00:05:59.975 --> 00:06:03.311
  • Sometimes that takes some season for me to get that work done.
  • 00:06:03.311 --> 00:06:07.916
  • But willing and obedience brings the blessings of god.
  • 00:06:07.916 --> 00:06:10.585
  • And then the fourth piece i would give you just as a
  • 00:06:10.585 --> 00:06:12.354
  • Fundamental, again, this isn't new, it's scripture, a
  • 00:06:12.354 --> 00:06:15.323
  • Systematic consistent engagement with the word of god.
  • 00:06:15.323 --> 00:06:19.027
  • I don't believe you can sustain your spiritual momentum if
  • 00:06:19.027 --> 00:06:22.230
  • You're not taking time routinely in the word of god.
  • 00:06:22.230 --> 00:06:25.834
  • If you've been around the church at all in recent years, we've
  • 00:06:25.834 --> 00:06:28.537
  • Talked about this ad nauseam.
  • 00:06:28.537 --> 00:06:31.406
  • But to be completely honest, i've arrived at the point--i'm a
  • 00:06:31.406 --> 00:06:33.542
  • Little embarrassed that i've only encouraged you to spend ten
  • 00:06:33.542 --> 00:06:35.744
  • Minutes a day in the bible.
  • 00:06:35.744 --> 00:06:37.679
  • In our bible reading plan, you can--well, about ten minutes
  • 00:06:37.679 --> 00:06:40.282
  • A day.
  • 00:06:40.282 --> 00:06:41.616
  • It depends on how you read, but 10 to 15 minutes a day, we can
  • 00:06:41.616 --> 00:06:43.618
  • Get through the entire bible in a calendar year.
  • 00:06:43.618 --> 00:06:46.488
  • And that's a notable accomplishment.
  • 00:06:46.488 --> 00:06:50.792
  • But ten minutes is a pretty minimal investment.
  • 00:06:50.792 --> 00:06:54.429
  • I'm pretty confident that the things you like to do, you don't
  • 00:06:54.429 --> 00:06:56.798
  • Have any problems spending ten minutes with.
  • 00:06:56.798 --> 00:06:58.433
  • If you like to hunt, you're up before sunrise, happily.
  • 00:06:58.433 --> 00:07:04.773
  • If you like football, you're probably gonna watch more than
  • 00:07:04.773 --> 00:07:06.908
  • One game.
  • 00:07:06.908 --> 00:07:08.944
  • And you can't miss those last three minutes, even though
  • 00:07:08.944 --> 00:07:11.480
  • They're gonna take an hour and a half.
  • 00:07:11.480 --> 00:07:14.649
  • If you enjoy horses, all day is not sufficient to satisfy your
  • 00:07:14.649 --> 00:07:18.253
  • Desire to be with them.
  • 00:07:18.253 --> 00:07:19.621
  • If you enjoy making money, you think about it most of the time.
  • 00:07:19.621 --> 00:07:23.358
  • If your grandchildren are your focus, there's no effort that's
  • 00:07:23.358 --> 00:07:26.161
  • Too great.
  • 00:07:26.161 --> 00:07:29.564
  • And yet the question that comes is, you know, i read my bible,
  • 00:07:29.564 --> 00:07:32.300
  • Do i really need to do that again?
  • 00:07:32.300 --> 00:07:34.970
  • And the answer is, yeah, it'd probably be good for us.
  • 00:07:34.970 --> 00:07:37.806
  • Be good for me.
  • 00:07:37.806 --> 00:07:39.174
  • I think it would probably be a help to you.
  • 00:07:39.174 --> 00:07:40.509
  • Psalm 119 said: "your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for
  • 00:07:40.509 --> 00:07:43.645
  • My path."
  • 00:07:43.645 --> 00:07:45.013
  • I'm not trying to induce shame.
  • 00:07:45.013 --> 00:07:46.781
  • I want to invite you towards a set of behaviors that will
  • 00:07:46.781 --> 00:07:49.351
  • Secure you in the midst of turmoil.
  • 00:07:49.351 --> 00:07:51.887
  • And if you haven't noticed, there's a lot of that in
  • 00:07:51.887 --> 00:07:53.755
  • The earth.
  • 00:07:53.755 --> 00:07:55.290
  • And i don't believe it's going to be diminished.
  • 00:07:55.290 --> 00:07:58.460
  • All of this really leads us to this notion of the sovereignty
  • 00:07:58.460 --> 00:08:01.463
  • Of god, that god is sovereign overall.
  • 00:08:01.463 --> 00:08:03.698
  • He's the creator and the sustainer of all things.
  • 00:08:03.698 --> 00:08:07.168
  • Once you establish that, it's a very logical step to begin to
  • 00:08:07.168 --> 00:08:11.640
  • Invest your life and your behavior in things that god has
  • 00:08:11.640 --> 00:08:16.077
  • Said are pleasing.
  • 00:08:16.077 --> 00:08:19.147
  • There's two scriptures we're gonna look at that are really
  • 00:08:19.147 --> 00:08:21.049
  • The heart of this particular session.
  • 00:08:21.049 --> 00:08:23.318
  • I believe they're both relevant to the church in this season and
  • 00:08:23.318 --> 00:08:26.788
  • Even in our nation.
  • 00:08:26.788 --> 00:08:29.157
  • I don't know the outcome of what's ahead of us.
  • 00:08:29.157 --> 00:08:31.493
  • I mean, i know some ultimate outcomes, but i wouldn't pretend
  • 00:08:31.493 --> 00:08:34.563
  • To know the outcome of all that's unraveling at
  • 00:08:34.563 --> 00:08:36.798
  • This moment.
  • 00:08:36.798 --> 00:08:38.333
  • I feel i know something about what would be appropriate, but i
  • 00:08:38.333 --> 00:08:40.936
  • Don't pretend to know how god will respond.
  • 00:08:40.936 --> 00:08:43.405
  • And it's his response that will be the determining factor.
  • 00:08:43.405 --> 00:08:47.976
  • Micah chapter 7 and verse 18, you have it.
  • 00:08:47.976 --> 00:08:50.979
  • It says: "who is a god like you, who pardons sin and forgives the
  • 00:08:50.979 --> 00:08:55.383
  • Transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?
  • 00:08:55.383 --> 00:08:58.553
  • You don't stay angry forever, but you delight to show mercy."
  • 00:08:58.553 --> 00:09:03.558
  • I think that's a very important message for those of us that are
  • 00:09:03.558 --> 00:09:05.894
  • People of faith to understand.
  • 00:09:05.894 --> 00:09:08.129
  • It's not a--it's not some singular expression.
  • 00:09:08.129 --> 00:09:10.498
  • It's a theme in scripture that god delights in showing mercy,
  • 00:09:10.498 --> 00:09:15.604
  • Even to those who don't deserve it, even to those who would
  • 00:09:15.604 --> 00:09:19.174
  • Rightfully deserve judgment, god still delights in showing mercy.
  • 00:09:19.174 --> 00:09:24.512
  • Now, his mercy and his grace are not infinite.
  • 00:09:24.512 --> 00:09:28.083
  • There is ultimate accountability for our lives, for every life.
  • 00:09:28.083 --> 00:09:33.321
  • The purpose of grace and mercy is not to extend the license and
  • 00:09:33.321 --> 00:09:37.859
  • More opportunities.
  • 00:09:37.859 --> 00:09:39.194
  • The bible tells us that the purpose of grace and mercy is to
  • 00:09:39.194 --> 00:09:42.197
  • Bring us to repentance.
  • 00:09:42.197 --> 00:09:44.733
  • So there's a logic here.
  • 00:09:44.733 --> 00:09:46.301
  • God delights in showing mercy because his objective is that it
  • 00:09:46.301 --> 00:09:49.270
  • Would bring us to a place where we would have a change of mind
  • 00:09:49.270 --> 00:09:52.173
  • And a change of behavior, and we would choose to cooperate
  • 00:09:52.173 --> 00:09:55.343
  • With him.
  • 00:09:55.343 --> 00:09:57.479
  • And because of that, it's an insight into his character.
  • 00:09:57.479 --> 00:10:01.383
  • The message has been so prominent amongst us that we
  • 00:10:01.383 --> 00:10:05.987
  • Have lost, i think, sometimes the awareness of the other
  • 00:10:05.987 --> 00:10:10.058
  • Aspect of god's character in daniel chapter 5 and verse 26.
  • 00:10:10.058 --> 00:10:15.196
  • There's been a vision.
  • 00:10:15.196 --> 00:10:17.465
  • And daniel is delivering the interpretation of the vision.
  • 00:10:17.465 --> 00:10:22.170
  • You know, the scripture invites us to this imagination that you
  • 00:10:22.170 --> 00:10:24.572
  • Could know god well enough to have insight and understanding
  • 00:10:24.572 --> 00:10:28.610
  • To what's happening in the culture around us.
  • 00:10:28.610 --> 00:10:31.913
  • Not dependent upon media outlets or x or wherever you get your
  • 00:10:31.913 --> 00:10:37.585
  • Information, but that you're aware enough, integrated enough,
  • 00:10:37.585 --> 00:10:41.456
  • With the purposes of god and the word of god that you are
  • 00:10:41.456 --> 00:10:45.326
  • Accustomed to being sensitive enough to the spirit of god that
  • 00:10:45.326 --> 00:10:49.064
  • You could have a god perspective on what's happening in
  • 00:10:49.064 --> 00:10:52.367
  • Our world.
  • 00:10:52.367 --> 00:10:54.469
  • That's not the place of crackpots or goofballs or weird
  • 00:10:54.469 --> 00:10:57.605
  • People or the fanatical fringe.
  • 00:10:57.605 --> 00:11:00.775
  • That's the invitation to the people of god.
  • 00:11:00.775 --> 00:11:04.446
  • Daniel was one of those people, tremendous pressures.
  • 00:11:04.446 --> 00:11:07.882
  • He lived under great injustice his entire life.
  • 00:11:07.882 --> 00:11:12.520
  • He's been physically mutilated.
  • 00:11:12.520 --> 00:11:14.255
  • He's a slave.
  • 00:11:14.255 --> 00:11:15.590
  • He's a--the whole time we know daniel in the picture of
  • 00:11:15.590 --> 00:11:17.859
  • Scripture, he's a slave in a foreign country.
  • 00:11:17.859 --> 00:11:20.929
  • His homeland has been decimated.
  • 00:11:20.929 --> 00:11:23.298
  • And yet in spite of all of those things and all of those
  • 00:11:23.298 --> 00:11:25.767
  • Circumstances, daniel chooses to honor god.
  • 00:11:25.767 --> 00:11:30.138
  • See, don't use the fact that evil exists in the world and
  • 00:11:30.138 --> 00:11:33.641
  • That it's touched your life as a license for ungodliness.
  • 00:11:33.641 --> 00:11:37.112
  • We'll never be able to make a case to god so convincing that
  • 00:11:37.112 --> 00:11:39.681
  • He will agree with us in our wickedness.
  • 00:11:39.681 --> 00:11:44.252
  • So daniel is a man that we're told that the archangels show up
  • 00:11:44.252 --> 00:11:47.756
  • And say: "you're highly esteemed in heaven."
  • 00:11:47.756 --> 00:11:49.557
  • That should get--that gets my attention.
  • 00:11:49.557 --> 00:11:51.893
  • Wouldn't you like to be highly esteemed in heaven?
  • 00:11:51.893 --> 00:11:56.164
  • Well, there's a vision that's given, and daniel has
  • 00:11:56.164 --> 00:11:58.366
  • An interpretation.
  • 00:11:58.366 --> 00:12:00.034
  • It's daniel 5:26: "this is the interpretation of the message:
  • 00:12:00.034 --> 00:12:04.572
  • God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
  • 00:12:04.572 --> 00:12:07.742
  • You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.
  • 00:12:07.742 --> 00:12:11.579
  • Your kingdom has been divided and given over to the medes and
  • 00:12:11.579 --> 00:12:14.616
  • The persians."
  • 00:12:14.616 --> 00:12:16.818
  • The big picture evaluation of that is that god almighty,
  • 00:12:16.818 --> 00:12:21.189
  • Sovereign god, judges even nations.
  • 00:12:21.189 --> 00:12:25.794
  • He doesn't just judge preachers or people, that god has an
  • 00:12:25.794 --> 00:12:30.932
  • Opinion about the behaviors of nations.
  • 00:12:30.932 --> 00:12:33.234
  • I'm always intrigued at the people who pontificate about
  • 00:12:33.234 --> 00:12:35.737
  • What god thinks about behaviors when they aren't
  • 00:12:35.737 --> 00:12:38.072
  • Compliant themselves.
  • 00:12:38.072 --> 00:12:40.909
  • Those words always ring a bit hollow to me.
  • 00:12:40.909 --> 00:12:44.279
  • If you're gonna listen to opinions about god, you want to
  • 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:46.314
  • Pay more closely attention to those people who are doing their
  • 00:12:46.314 --> 00:12:51.286
  • Best to cooperate with him.
  • 00:12:51.286 --> 00:12:53.922
  • God judges peoples and nations.
  • 00:12:53.922 --> 00:12:55.990
  • We have these two ideas in place that god delights to show mercy,
  • 00:12:55.990 --> 00:13:00.395
  • But we don't want to live without the awareness that,
  • 00:13:00.395 --> 00:13:02.597
  • Ultimately, god expresses his opinion in history, that there
  • 00:13:02.597 --> 00:13:07.135
  • Is accountability.
  • 00:13:07.135 --> 00:13:08.469
  • Not a threat, it's a promise.
  • 00:13:08.469 --> 00:13:10.104
  • Judgment can be for you.
  • 00:13:10.104 --> 00:13:12.941
  • Judgment can be for your deliverance, for your liberty,
  • 00:13:12.941 --> 00:13:17.245
  • For your freedom.
  • 00:13:17.245 --> 00:13:19.547
  • Don't think of judgment as a frightening thing.
  • 00:13:19.547 --> 00:13:21.649
  • If you're purposefully doing something that you know is in
  • 00:13:21.649 --> 00:13:23.751
  • Opposition to god's best for you, stop it.
  • 00:13:23.751 --> 00:13:27.789
  • We're not getting away with it.
  • 00:13:27.789 --> 00:13:29.157
  • We've opened the door to evil, and evil will always be more
  • 00:13:29.157 --> 00:13:32.060
  • Destructive than we imagined it would be.
  • 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:37.866
  • Allen: now, the question i'm asked most often is "how do i
  • 00:13:42.070 --> 00:13:44.672
  • Know what god wants me to do?
  • 00:13:44.672 --> 00:13:46.007
  • If i just knew what god wanted me to do, i would do it,
  • 00:13:46.007 --> 00:13:48.409
  • Whatever it is."
  • 00:13:48.409 --> 00:13:50.078
  • Well, our offer this month, i think, will help.
  • 00:13:50.078 --> 00:13:51.579
  • It's by a good friend of mine, rob morgan, "the lord is
  • 00:13:51.579 --> 00:13:54.015
  • My shepherd."
  • 00:13:54.015 --> 00:13:55.383
  • He's gonna unpack the scripture that tells us how to follow the
  • 00:13:55.383 --> 00:13:58.319
  • Lord's guidance and understand his abiding presence and
  • 00:13:58.319 --> 00:14:01.756
  • His comfort.
  • 00:14:01.756 --> 00:14:03.091
  • It'll help you chart a course and know the path that god has
  • 00:14:03.091 --> 00:14:06.561
  • For you.
  • 00:14:06.561 --> 00:14:07.896
  • Get a copy.
  • 00:14:07.896 --> 00:14:09.264
  • It'll make a difference in your life.
  • 00:14:09.264 --> 00:14:10.598
  • Female announcer: life can be overwhelming, but true peace
  • 00:14:10.598 --> 00:14:12.200
  • Is possible.
  • 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:13.534
  • Pastor robert morgan's book "the lord is my shepherd" reflects in
  • 00:14:13.534 --> 00:14:16.271
  • The specific ways psalm 23 speaks to our lives today.
  • 00:14:16.271 --> 00:14:19.507
  • It will help you find rest for your soul and discover the joy,
  • 00:14:19.507 --> 00:14:22.977
  • Inspiration, power, and peace found in psalm 23.
  • 00:14:22.977 --> 00:14:26.648
  • In today's culture, it's essential to know god is leading
  • 00:14:26.648 --> 00:14:29.317
  • Us, charting our path, and watching over us.
  • 00:14:29.317 --> 00:14:32.654
  • Request your copy of "the lord is my shepherd" when you donate
  • 00:14:32.654 --> 00:14:35.123
  • Any amount at allenjackson.com or by calling...
  • 00:14:35.123 --> 00:14:42.163
  • Allen: as i was preparing for the weekend, i was reminded it
  • 00:14:42.163 --> 00:14:46.534
  • Was five years ago just now that we were in lockdown.
  • 00:14:46.534 --> 00:14:51.873
  • Remember those wonderful days?
  • 00:14:51.873 --> 00:14:55.243
  • The trigger for me was we were having a meeting in the office
  • 00:14:55.243 --> 00:14:58.479
  • On a thursday, and they said: "are we having church
  • 00:14:58.479 --> 00:15:01.282
  • This weekend?"
  • 00:15:01.282 --> 00:15:02.650
  • The discussion had really just started and about covid.
  • 00:15:02.650 --> 00:15:04.886
  • And i said: "well, absolutely.
  • 00:15:04.886 --> 00:15:06.487
  • They're playing the sec tournament in nashville
  • 00:15:06.487 --> 00:15:08.489
  • And bridgestone.
  • 00:15:08.489 --> 00:15:09.857
  • If they're playing basketball, we're having church."
  • 00:15:09.857 --> 00:15:12.493
  • And i said it with a little bit too much swagger because the
  • 00:15:12.493 --> 00:15:16.664
  • Next morning some friends in the metro police department were
  • 00:15:16.664 --> 00:15:20.134
  • Calling and saying: "they've closed bridgestone, and they're
  • 00:15:20.134 --> 00:15:22.503
  • Putting the teams on buses and sending everybody home."
  • 00:15:22.503 --> 00:15:26.574
  • And the lockdowns began.
  • 00:15:26.574 --> 00:15:28.609
  • I believe covid-19 was a wake up call.
  • 00:15:28.609 --> 00:15:31.980
  • And the unimagined very quickly became our reality, if
  • 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:35.049
  • You remember.
  • 00:15:35.049 --> 00:15:37.218
  • I tried to describe it 'cause it felt like someone took away our
  • 00:15:37.218 --> 00:15:39.721
  • Car keys and told us we were grounded.
  • 00:15:39.721 --> 00:15:43.424
  • We were told we couldn't go to our favorite restaurant.
  • 00:15:43.424 --> 00:15:46.694
  • Our restrictions included not eating with other people.
  • 00:15:46.694 --> 00:15:50.665
  • It's just better to eat alone.
  • 00:15:50.665 --> 00:15:54.035
  • We couldn't meet with our friends and hang out.
  • 00:15:54.035 --> 00:15:57.171
  • More than that, we were told: "don't touch anybody, no
  • 00:15:57.171 --> 00:16:01.943
  • Handshakes, and for heaven's sakes, don't hug them."
  • 00:16:01.943 --> 00:16:06.147
  • People are just off limits.
  • 00:16:06.147 --> 00:16:08.216
  • Remember those days?
  • 00:16:08.216 --> 00:16:11.019
  • Our hobbies were off limits, too.
  • 00:16:11.019 --> 00:16:13.554
  • You couldn't go to march madness that year.
  • 00:16:13.554 --> 00:16:15.323
  • In fact, we're not even gonna let you watch the tournament.
  • 00:16:15.323 --> 00:16:19.127
  • Golf, that was off limits, too.
  • 00:16:19.127 --> 00:16:20.728
  • No masters tournament that spring.
  • 00:16:20.728 --> 00:16:23.231
  • Baseball, spring training, opening day, the seventh inning
  • 00:16:23.231 --> 00:16:26.134
  • Stretch, don't even think about it.
  • 00:16:26.134 --> 00:16:30.038
  • Travel, that was not a good idea.
  • 00:16:30.038 --> 00:16:32.173
  • So you can enjoy a staycation.
  • 00:16:32.173 --> 00:16:36.677
  • International travel, you don't even need to ask.
  • 00:16:36.677 --> 00:16:39.113
  • They're grounded, too.
  • 00:16:39.113 --> 00:16:40.982
  • Well, school, what about school?
  • 00:16:40.982 --> 00:16:42.517
  • That certainly should be important.
  • 00:16:42.517 --> 00:16:44.886
  • You're expelled, go home.
  • 00:16:44.886 --> 00:16:48.389
  • We're not sure when you'll be allowed to return.
  • 00:16:48.389 --> 00:16:51.726
  • "well, work, at least, i can go to work."
  • 00:16:51.726 --> 00:16:54.162
  • Wrong again, your job has been evaluated, and you are
  • 00:16:54.162 --> 00:16:57.498
  • Non-essential, stay home.
  • 00:16:57.498 --> 00:17:02.036
  • Maybe somebody will send you a check.
  • 00:17:02.036 --> 00:17:04.605
  • Well, church, surely we're allowed to attend church.
  • 00:17:04.605 --> 00:17:07.675
  • Are you not paying any attention to these rules at all?
  • 00:17:07.675 --> 00:17:10.978
  • No, absolutely no.
  • 00:17:10.978 --> 00:17:12.914
  • Churches are especially off limits.
  • 00:17:12.914 --> 00:17:15.216
  • They are uniquely dangerous.
  • 00:17:15.216 --> 00:17:16.784
  • People sing in those places.
  • 00:17:16.784 --> 00:17:22.023
  • Churches are different.
  • 00:17:22.023 --> 00:17:23.791
  • They're not like liquor stores or abortion clinics or
  • 00:17:23.791 --> 00:17:26.561
  • Marijuana markets.
  • 00:17:26.561 --> 00:17:27.895
  • Those are essential.
  • 00:17:27.895 --> 00:17:30.298
  • Home depot and lowe's and costco, those are places that
  • 00:17:30.298 --> 00:17:33.167
  • Impact our state of mind and they fuel our creativity.
  • 00:17:33.167 --> 00:17:36.104
  • They're okay, but definitely not church.
  • 00:17:36.104 --> 00:17:40.541
  • And here was the startling part.
  • 00:17:40.541 --> 00:17:43.377
  • We all complied.
  • 00:17:43.377 --> 00:17:45.913
  • We cooperated with our instructions.
  • 00:17:45.913 --> 00:17:48.783
  • We accepted the sentence, and we went into time out.
  • 00:17:48.783 --> 00:17:53.921
  • Well, we're five years later.
  • 00:17:53.921 --> 00:17:56.757
  • And i know with great enthusiasm, we want to assert
  • 00:17:56.757 --> 00:17:59.393
  • That lessons have been learned, behaviors have been modified,
  • 00:17:59.393 --> 00:18:01.863
  • We're more awake now.
  • 00:18:01.863 --> 00:18:04.699
  • And as i sat at my desk and grappled with that and tried to
  • 00:18:04.699 --> 00:18:08.035
  • Understand the evaluation, if you'll allow me, i think we're
  • 00:18:08.035 --> 00:18:14.175
  • Just as deeply mired in immorality.
  • 00:18:14.175 --> 00:18:17.745
  • We don't protect our babies.
  • 00:18:17.745 --> 00:18:19.947
  • We don't educate our children with godly values.
  • 00:18:19.947 --> 00:18:23.985
  • We spend more than we earn.
  • 00:18:23.985 --> 00:18:26.854
  • We are insatiable in our appetite for more.
  • 00:18:26.854 --> 00:18:31.392
  • We stay silent far too frequently while evil is called
  • 00:18:31.392 --> 00:18:34.562
  • Good and good is declared evil.
  • 00:18:34.562 --> 00:18:36.664
  • We're very reluctant to stand for truth.
  • 00:18:36.664 --> 00:18:38.332
  • We stay quiet, currently while cities burn.
  • 00:18:38.332 --> 00:18:42.570
  • Well, it's just cars and car lots, mostly peaceful protests.
  • 00:18:42.570 --> 00:18:50.378
  • Well, our problem is not political.
  • 00:18:50.378 --> 00:18:52.046
  • Please don't be confused.
  • 00:18:52.046 --> 00:18:54.815
  • Our problem is in our hearts.
  • 00:18:54.815 --> 00:18:56.918
  • Our freedom is evaporating.
  • 00:18:56.918 --> 00:18:58.286
  • Only god can restore what's been lost.
  • 00:18:58.286 --> 00:19:00.054
  • If we'll seek him, perhaps he will look upon us with mercy.
  • 00:19:00.054 --> 00:19:02.723
  • We just read that.
  • 00:19:02.723 --> 00:19:05.092
  • But be certain of this, he would be beyond justified in
  • 00:19:05.092 --> 00:19:07.762
  • Delivering judgment.
  • 00:19:07.762 --> 00:19:09.764
  • Yet, he's a god who delights in showing mercy, even to
  • 00:19:09.764 --> 00:19:12.567
  • The wicked.
  • 00:19:12.567 --> 00:19:13.935
  • There's hope for us.
  • 00:19:13.935 --> 00:19:17.572
  • We learned that we can be controlled with fear of a virus.
  • 00:19:17.572 --> 00:19:22.510
  • But i believe the only reason that was possible is because
  • 00:19:22.510 --> 00:19:25.012
  • Long ago, we began cowering in fear, fear of being chastised by
  • 00:19:25.012 --> 00:19:29.417
  • Those more politically correct, fear of those who reject god and
  • 00:19:29.417 --> 00:19:33.054
  • Will mock you if you stand up, fear of being penalized at work
  • 00:19:33.054 --> 00:19:38.159
  • Or socially or economically or in some other way.
  • 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:41.629
  • If you dare to assert the significance of jesus of
  • 00:19:41.629 --> 00:19:43.998
  • Nazareth, here's what we should all know.
  • 00:19:43.998 --> 00:19:47.602
  • Hopefully we had enough exposure that we won't lose this lesson.
  • 00:19:47.602 --> 00:19:50.504
  • Fear is a tyrant.
  • 00:19:50.504 --> 00:19:52.006
  • And if we submit, there's no end to the sacrifices that fear
  • 00:19:52.006 --> 00:19:54.942
  • Will demand.
  • 00:19:54.942 --> 00:19:57.712
  • Begin to treat fear like the interloper it is.
  • 00:19:57.712 --> 00:20:01.449
  • Speak to fear from a place of authority, not your authority,
  • 00:20:01.449 --> 00:20:04.652
  • But kingdom authority.
  • 00:20:04.652 --> 00:20:05.987
  • Tell it to go in jesus's name.
  • 00:20:05.987 --> 00:20:08.789
  • Treat fear like an intruder uninvited, unwelcome, unhelpful,
  • 00:20:08.789 --> 00:20:13.227
  • And dismiss it.
  • 00:20:13.227 --> 00:20:16.631
  • Fear is stalking our streets again.
  • 00:20:16.631 --> 00:20:20.334
  • Well, the labeling has changed a little bit, but it's still here.
  • 00:20:20.334 --> 00:20:25.806
  • We're watching week after week these days this doge experiment.
  • 00:20:25.806 --> 00:20:29.610
  • Even if you don't wanna watch it, it's hard to miss, an
  • 00:20:29.610 --> 00:20:32.980
  • Attempt to cut waste and fraud and expose the looting
  • 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:35.483
  • Of america.
  • 00:20:35.483 --> 00:20:37.852
  • It's uncomfortable, it's awkward.
  • 00:20:37.852 --> 00:20:39.453
  • Many would just prefer to look away.
  • 00:20:39.453 --> 00:20:40.821
  • I would submit to you, it's necessary, if we are
  • 00:20:40.821 --> 00:20:42.790
  • To survive.
  • 00:20:42.790 --> 00:20:44.825
  • It's being criticized and winked at by the legacy media and
  • 00:20:44.825 --> 00:20:48.162
  • Professional political class.
  • 00:20:48.162 --> 00:20:51.699
  • I would encourage you not to be deceived again.
  • 00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:54.702
  • Far too many have had their snouts in the trough gaining
  • 00:20:54.702 --> 00:20:57.204
  • Wealth on the back of hardworking people whom
  • 00:20:57.204 --> 00:20:59.273
  • They despise.
  • 00:20:59.273 --> 00:21:01.275
  • We have to change.
  • 00:21:01.275 --> 00:21:06.681
  • There's fear in a whole another category.
  • 00:21:06.681 --> 00:21:08.282
  • We don't want to be wrong.
  • 00:21:08.282 --> 00:21:09.650
  • We don't want to be calloused.
  • 00:21:09.650 --> 00:21:10.985
  • We don't wanna--there's all sorts of fear wrapped in this,
  • 00:21:10.985 --> 00:21:12.987
  • And the church has been reluctant to help.
  • 00:21:12.987 --> 00:21:15.656
  • I would submit to you that citizenship is a privilege and
  • 00:21:15.656 --> 00:21:18.092
  • Not a right.
  • 00:21:18.092 --> 00:21:19.894
  • And that the church, of all places, cannot afford to lose
  • 00:21:19.894 --> 00:21:23.164
  • The distinction between legal and illegal.
  • 00:21:23.164 --> 00:21:26.901
  • Don't be shamed into giving away your children's future to those
  • 00:21:26.901 --> 00:21:31.138
  • Who engage in illegal choices and then demand benefits.
  • 00:21:31.138 --> 00:21:35.843
  • It's not kindness.
  • 00:21:35.843 --> 00:21:40.181
  • Protecting our efforts and our assets is the discussion this
  • 00:21:40.181 --> 00:21:43.617
  • Week ad nauseam.
  • 00:21:43.617 --> 00:21:46.053
  • Reciprocal tariffs for the nations of the world, which have
  • 00:21:46.053 --> 00:21:49.056
  • Taken advantage of the american people.
  • 00:21:49.056 --> 00:21:52.326
  • It's not difficult to understand,
  • 00:21:52.326 --> 00:21:54.228
  • The numbers are clear.
  • 00:21:54.228 --> 00:21:55.563
  • The math is unsettling.
  • 00:21:55.563 --> 00:21:56.897
  • In fact, it's just easier not to think about it.
  • 00:21:56.897 --> 00:22:00.701
  • I believe what's being initiated is an expression of support for
  • 00:22:00.701 --> 00:22:03.671
  • The american people.
  • 00:22:03.671 --> 00:22:05.773
  • It's uncomfortable in the moment, just as many times truth
  • 00:22:05.773 --> 00:22:09.844
  • Is, and we bump into it.
  • 00:22:09.844 --> 00:22:12.146
  • What i can tell you is that the manipulative attitudes and tools
  • 00:22:12.146 --> 00:22:15.683
  • Which made the fear of covid so damaging are still operating in
  • 00:22:15.683 --> 00:22:19.220
  • Our midst.
  • 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:21.188
  • Let's not be so unprepared and gullible twice.
  • 00:22:21.188 --> 00:22:26.794
  • Let's decide to be obedient to the truth of god, to be
  • 00:22:26.794 --> 00:22:30.664
  • Courageous enough to speak the truth that we know, to not be
  • 00:22:30.664 --> 00:22:35.069
  • Manipulated by fear.
  • 00:22:35.069 --> 00:22:39.940
  • So what's the challenge and how do we navigate it?
  • 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:43.177
  • Well, the diagnosis isn't particularly complex to me.
  • 00:22:43.177 --> 00:22:45.579
  • And this isn't about the ungodly.
  • 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:47.081
  • It's not about the people outside the church.
  • 00:22:47.081 --> 00:22:48.816
  • It's not about the professional class of political leaders.
  • 00:22:48.816 --> 00:22:52.620
  • It's about the people of faith.
  • 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:54.822
  • The diagnosis, it seems to me, is we have laid aside the
  • 00:22:54.822 --> 00:22:57.491
  • Knowledge of god.
  • 00:22:57.491 --> 00:23:00.194
  • There was enough opportunity for prosperity and enjoyment and
  • 00:23:00.194 --> 00:23:03.764
  • Pleasure that we could rear our children and point them towards
  • 00:23:03.764 --> 00:23:07.301
  • Pathways that we thought would bring fulfillment and
  • 00:23:07.301 --> 00:23:09.770
  • Contentment and joy and we could celebrate the victories with
  • 00:23:09.770 --> 00:23:12.606
  • Them without necessarily trying to establish in them a
  • 00:23:12.606 --> 00:23:16.744
  • Foundation of obedience to fundamental biblical values.
  • 00:23:16.744 --> 00:23:21.549
  • Hosea chapter 4 and verse 1 says: "listen to the word of the
  • 00:23:21.549 --> 00:23:24.318
  • Lord, o sons of israel."
  • 00:23:24.318 --> 00:23:26.153
  • This isn't for the pagan nation.
  • 00:23:26.153 --> 00:23:27.655
  • It's not for the gentile.
  • 00:23:27.655 --> 00:23:28.989
  • This is for the covenant people of god: "listen to the word of
  • 00:23:28.989 --> 00:23:32.126
  • The lord.
  • 00:23:32.126 --> 00:23:33.461
  • For the lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land.
  • 00:23:33.461 --> 00:23:36.363
  • There is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of god in
  • 00:23:36.363 --> 00:23:40.468
  • The land.
  • 00:23:40.468 --> 00:23:42.803
  • There is swearing and deception and murder and stealing
  • 00:23:42.803 --> 00:23:47.341
  • And adultery.
  • 00:23:47.341 --> 00:23:49.276
  • They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed."
  • 00:23:49.276 --> 00:23:54.081
  • Gee, that sounds pretty accurate to me.
  • 00:23:54.081 --> 00:23:58.953
  • I mean, the location's a little different, but it's a pretty
  • 00:23:58.953 --> 00:24:01.121
  • Accurate description of our land.
  • 00:24:01.121 --> 00:24:03.724
  • The case being made against us is the knowledge of god has
  • 00:24:03.724 --> 00:24:08.162
  • Been removed.
  • 00:24:08.162 --> 00:24:09.530
  • It's been inconvenient.
  • 00:24:09.530 --> 00:24:13.634
  • We're more interested in civic behaviors that are applauded.
  • 00:24:13.634 --> 00:24:18.439
  • We don't wanna be offensive.
  • 00:24:18.439 --> 00:24:22.943
  • Well, the resolution, i believe, is equally simple.
  • 00:24:22.943 --> 00:24:25.846
  • It's equally straightforward.
  • 00:24:25.846 --> 00:24:27.548
  • We have to desire the knowledge of god, and you think:
  • 00:24:27.548 --> 00:24:29.817
  • "well, duh."
  • 00:24:29.817 --> 00:24:32.853
  • But i think we tend to think, well, it's not about me.
  • 00:24:32.853 --> 00:24:35.422
  • It's about somebody else.
  • 00:24:35.422 --> 00:24:37.758
  • I mean, we're in church on a sunday, and it stormed
  • 00:24:37.758 --> 00:24:39.693
  • All night.
  • 00:24:39.693 --> 00:24:41.028
  • We're the best.
  • 00:24:41.028 --> 00:24:43.697
  • I mean, we stayed home, there was a lot of water, but we're
  • 00:24:43.697 --> 00:24:45.966
  • Live streaming.
  • 00:24:45.966 --> 00:24:48.936
  • Yes, you are.
  • 00:24:48.936 --> 00:24:51.105
  • Look at 1 corinthians 15, verse 34: "awake."
  • 00:24:51.105 --> 00:24:55.776
  • And that word that's translated there is the--was the secular
  • 00:24:55.776 --> 00:24:59.480
  • Greek word that was used for somebody who was recovering from
  • 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.182
  • Being drunk.
  • 00:25:02.182 --> 00:25:04.752
  • So come out of your inebriated condition.
  • 00:25:04.752 --> 00:25:08.656
  • There's been an influence in your life.
  • 00:25:08.656 --> 00:25:10.324
  • There's been something that has addled your ability to
  • 00:25:10.324 --> 00:25:14.061
  • Comprehend and understand: "awake to righteousness, and do
  • 00:25:14.061 --> 00:25:18.566
  • Not sin; for some, do not have the knowledge of god.
  • 00:25:18.566 --> 00:25:22.169
  • I speak this to your shame."
  • 00:25:22.169 --> 00:25:24.004
  • This is paul writing to a church.
  • 00:25:24.004 --> 00:25:27.541
  • He's not writing to the ungodly to the secular culture.
  • 00:25:27.541 --> 00:25:30.244
  • He's not writing to the roman leaders who practice paganism.
  • 00:25:30.244 --> 00:25:33.714
  • He's writing to a church: "awake to righteousness."
  • 00:25:33.714 --> 00:25:38.252
  • Some of you don't have the knowledge of god.
  • 00:25:38.252 --> 00:25:39.954
  • 2 corinthians, same church, but another letter: "the weapons we
  • 00:25:39.954 --> 00:25:42.957
  • Fight with are not the weapons of the world.
  • 00:25:42.957 --> 00:25:45.693
  • On the contrary, they have divine power to
  • 00:25:45.693 --> 00:25:47.628
  • Demolish strongholds.
  • 00:25:47.628 --> 00:25:49.396
  • We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
  • 00:25:49.396 --> 00:25:52.633
  • Against the knowledge of god."
  • 00:25:52.633 --> 00:25:55.336
  • Wow, pretentious ideas that oppose god's knowledge.
  • 00:25:55.336 --> 00:26:03.477
  • Our culture is filled with them.
  • 00:26:03.477 --> 00:26:06.213
  • And the church struggles with this.
  • 00:26:06.213 --> 00:26:09.850
  • We do.
  • 00:26:09.850 --> 00:26:11.185
  • We're not sure if we should be kind.
  • 00:26:11.185 --> 00:26:13.554
  • Should we just overlook sin?
  • 00:26:13.554 --> 00:26:15.656
  • We've been very good at that.
  • 00:26:15.656 --> 00:26:17.424
  • For decades now, i would say, we have majored in
  • 00:26:17.424 --> 00:26:19.560
  • Overlooking ungodliness.
  • 00:26:19.560 --> 00:26:22.763
  • Allen: you know, i really dislike the idea of a
  • 00:26:22.830 --> 00:26:24.531
  • Religious lecture.
  • 00:26:24.531 --> 00:26:25.933
  • I believe the point of ministry or opening the word of god is to
  • 00:26:25.933 --> 00:26:28.736
  • Be transformed by it.
  • 00:26:28.736 --> 00:26:30.471
  • So before we go, i want to give you two invitations.
  • 00:26:30.471 --> 00:26:32.339
  • One's a prayer i'm gonna pray with you, but the other is our
  • 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:34.408
  • Offer this month.
  • 00:26:34.408 --> 00:26:35.776
  • The book is "the lord is my shepherd" by my friend
  • 00:26:35.776 --> 00:26:37.845
  • Rob morgan.
  • 00:26:37.845 --> 00:26:39.213
  • It's an important word in this season to understand god's
  • 00:26:39.213 --> 00:26:43.183
  • Direction, his abiding presence, his protection.
  • 00:26:43.183 --> 00:26:46.186
  • We all need that.
  • 00:26:46.186 --> 00:26:47.521
  • It'll be a blessing in your life and something i think you wanna
  • 00:26:47.521 --> 00:26:49.723
  • Share with some friends.
  • 00:26:49.723 --> 00:26:51.091
  • But i wanna pray with you before we go that we'll know we're
  • 00:26:51.091 --> 00:26:53.127
  • Not alone.
  • 00:26:53.127 --> 00:26:54.495
  • Heavenly father, i thank you for the resources you give us, for
  • 00:26:54.495 --> 00:26:57.231
  • The voices that you provide in our lives, that in a world of
  • 00:26:57.231 --> 00:27:00.267
  • Turmoil and confusion and, honestly, great fear, that your
  • 00:27:00.267 --> 00:27:03.871
  • Calm, assuring voice guides us, and i thank you for it today.
  • 00:27:03.871 --> 00:27:08.075
  • Thank you for your faithfulness.
  • 00:27:08.075 --> 00:27:09.410
  • In jesus's name, amen.
  • 00:27:09.410 --> 00:27:12.146
  • Get a copy of "the lord is my shepherd," and you take your
  • 00:27:12.146 --> 00:27:15.249
  • Prayers into your family.
  • 00:27:15.249 --> 00:27:16.583
  • We're a light in this dark world.
  • 00:27:16.583 --> 00:27:18.485
  • God is moving, and we wanna move with him.
  • 00:27:18.485 --> 00:27:27.394